Administrative divisions
9 · First-level (ADM1)Boundaries shown do not imply endorsement.
Eastern CapeFree StateGautengKwaZulu-NatalLimpopoMpumalangaNorth WestNothern CapeWestern Cape
Source: geoBoundaries CGAZ (ADM1)
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Total area | 1,219,000 km²World Bank WDI [2023] |
| Exclusive economic zone (EEZ) | 1,548,000 km²Marine Regions [2024] |
| Administrative divisions (ADM1) | 9 divisionsgeoBoundaries [2026] |
| Location | Southern Africa, at the southern tip of the continent of AfricaCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Coastline | 2,798 kmCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Land boundaries | 5,244 kmCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Bordering countries | Botswana 1,969 km; Lesotho 1,106 km; Mozambique 496 km; Namibia 1,005 km; Eswatini 438 km; Zimbabwe 230 kmCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Terrain | vast interior plateau rimmed by rugged hills and narrow coastal plainCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Climate | mostly semiarid; subtropical along east coast; sunny days, cool nightsCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Natural resources | gold, chromium, antimony, coal, iron ore, manganese, nickel, phosphates, tin, rare earth elements, uranium, gem diamonds, platinum, copper, vanadium, salt, natural gas; note: South Africa was the World's leading chromite ore producer in 2022 with an output of 18,000 mtCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Highest point | Ntheledi (Mafadi) 3,450 mCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Lowest point | Atlantic/Indian Oceans 0 mCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Mean elevation | 1,034 mCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Area (comparative) | slightly less than twice the size of TexasCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Natural hazards | prolonged droughts volcanism: the volcano that formed Marion Island in the Prince Edward Islands is South Africa's only active volcanoCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Maritime claims | territorial sea: 12 nm; contiguous zone: 24 nm; exclusive economic zone: 200 nm; continental shelf: 200 nm or to edge of the continental marginCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
